Mesa police officer critically injured in car crash on US 60

MESA, Ariz. (AP) - A Mesa police officer was critically injured in a car crash Tuesday on the U.S. 60, authorities said.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officials said the policeman saw a ladder blocking a lane around 11 a.m. Tuesday and stopped his patrol car and activated his emergency lights so other drivers wouldn’t hit his vehicle.

But before the officer could get out, DPS officials said a woman driving an SUV collided with the patrol car from behind.

Authorities said it’s unclear if the unidentified woman driver was distracted or impaired at the time of the crash.

Rescuers had to cut the police vehicle’s door off to get the officer out before taking him to a hospital.

DPS officials said the woman also suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital.

The name of the police officer wasn’t immediately released, but DPS said he’s in his 30s and has 10 years’ experience in law enforcement and expected to recover from the crash.

DPS is handling the investigation into the incident and trying to identify the vehicle and driver that dropped the ladder onto the roadway.